The Criterion Collection
Sep 1, 1992 — The evolution of Jason and the Argonauts began in the late 1950s, after the initial success of 20 Million Miles to Earth. Harryhausen and his producer, Charles Schneer, decided to get away from doing “monster-on-the-loose” stories and try something more...
Dec 9, 1991 — This rarely seen, overlooked gem, featuring what may be one of Marlon Brando’s most fascinating characterizations, was Gillo Pontecorvo’s worthy follow-up to his political masterpiece The Battle of Algiers. The brilliant radical Italian director achieved something unique in cinema, by...
May 16, 1988 — Prior to the success of Scaramouche in 1952, many in Hollywood felt that the big-budget “swashbuckler” film was no longer a safe investment. While such motion pictures as MGM’s version of The Three Musketeers (directed by George Sidney, 1948) and...
The writer and director reminisces about seeing Black Girl in the cinema with his mom as a child, shares how True Stories and Election influenced his approach to filmmaking, and talks about the emotional truth behind the visual artifice of...
Three indelible tales of Black urban life; a 1960s revenge thriller; a blockbuster biblical comedy; a glittering pre-Code jewel; the most sensual Hollywood noir; six woman-centered features from Japan; and a ravishing vision of a world where humans have forsaken...
The writer and director pays tribute to the late Béla Tarr, shares his love for the way Andrei Tarkovsky merged poetry and cinema, and suggests watching a double bill of Black Girl and I Knew Her Well.
The writer, director, and producer praises Black Orpheus and Killer of Sheep as his favorite works of Black cinema, talks about the influence of Risky Business on his film House Party, and admires the depth of Bruce Lee’s performance in...
The actor and director praises Black God, White Devil as one of the most important Brazilian films ever made, talks about the complex humanity of Il Posto, and reflects on why Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are his favorite filmmakers.
The writer and director returns to the Criterion Closet, where he talks about a moment from Black Narcissus that’s ingrained in his memory, shares what he loves about Max Ophuls and The Earrings of Madame de . . ., and...